Blossom Smart Watering Controller Review
by Ganesh T S on August 28, 2015 8:10 AM ESTMiscellaneous Aspects and Concluding Remarks
Power consumption is an important aspect of home automation equipment. We hooked up the Blossom Smart Watering Controller to a Kill-a-Watt meter and recorded 4.3W as the power consumption at the wall during operation. The unit itself gets a little warm to touch, but nothing too worrisome, as the thermal photograph below shows. When the zones are in operation, there is an audible whine from the unit. Given that the unit is going to either be installed in a garage or outdoors, it is not much of an issue.
The following table summarizes the various home automation aspects / consumer checklist for the Blossom Smart Watering Controller and how it compares with the other systems that we have evaluated before.
| Home Automation Device Aspects - Summary Table | ||
| Aspect | ||
| Evaluated Devices | Blossom Irrigation Controller | mPower mPower Pro InWall Outlet InWall Dimmer Switch |
| Communication Technology | Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) Powerline Communication (PLC) |
Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) |
| Platform | Marvell 88MC200 MCU Marvell Avastar 88W8782 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi SoC Qualcomm Atheros QCA7000 HomePlug Green PHY PLC |
Qualcomm Atheros AR9331 1x1 802.11n Wi-Fi SoC Host CPU: MIPS 24Kc, DRAM: 32MB |
| Power Source | AC Powered | AC Powered |
| Hub / Bridge Requirement | No | No |
| Control Center | Cloud (for setup and configuration) Local Device (stores backup schedule) |
Local Device (basic access, rules and scenes) Local Server (comprehensive access, rules and scenes) |
| User Control Interface | Mobile Apps | Web Browser Mobile Apps (basic control) |
| Open APIs | None | Yes (uPnP, HTTP, SSH) |
| Third-party / Hub Compatibility | None | None advertised |
| Cloud Reliance | Optional (compulsory only for initial setup and configuration) | None |
| Security Notes | Username / Password authentication at app level | Username / Password Authentication LAN Access Only |
| User Support / Discussion Forums | Blossom on Twitter | Ubiquiti Networks Community - mFi Forums |
| Street Price | USD 199 | USD 60 (mPower) USD 95 (mPower Pro) USD 59 (InWall Outlet) USD 59 (InWall Switch / Dimmer) |
Coming to the business end of the review, we have to say that Blossom has managed to bring out a unique home automation device. In our opinion, the inclusion of powerline communication (PLC) as an alternative path to the network in case Wi-Fi is not up to the task is a very good decision. This is something other home automation device manufacturers need to evaluate. In our opinion, consumer IP cameras (which rely on Wi-Fi right now) can also benefit from this dual approach. The IP54 rating allows users to install the unit wherever they see fit. The cloud-based 'Xona' intelligence seems to be effective in altering pre-set schedules based on weather conditions. We see no issues with the unique points set marketed by Blossom. There are multiple options in the market for automated gardening, and Blossom manages to stand out in the crowd.
Our main issue is with the cloud reliance aspect. While the Blossom does have a fail-safe schedule to fall back upon in case the Internet connection goes down, there is really no way to alter the schedule without going through the cloud. One of the main benefits of having smartphone control for the irrigation controller is the ability to turn a zone on or off immediately, even during operation. In the case of the Internet or Blossom's servers being down, this is simply not possible right now. Fortunately, Blossom recognizes the need for users to be able to configure the unit locally. I have heard that local browser access and control over the schedule is definitely in the roadmap. Till this feature comes about, we will not be able to recommend the Blossom Smart Watering Controller without reservation. To a lesser extent, we are also not comfortable with some alerts not being sent to the e-mail address associated with the unit. E-mail could also be used to inform the user about updates to the smart watering schedules.
Users not paranoid about being reliant on the cloud will find the Blossom Smart Watering Controller to be a great way to add automation to their irrigation needs. Ease of setup, usage and the 'it just works' aspects are the positives. We hope that Blossom will address the open APIs and local control capabilities as soon as possible.
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Colin1497 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Wait, Rainmachine doesn't have iOS and Android apps?http://www.rainmachine.com/howitworks.html
You might want to fact check that.
ganeshts - Friday, September 4, 2015 - link
This has been fixed. Thanks for bringing it to our notice. The marketing collateral was quite old, and I should have fact-checked for the current status before publishing.freeskier93 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Good to see more options. We have a Rachio and while expensive has been worth every penny. The smart watering is in beta but is working very well, the general support of the product is also fantastic.Also to the guy above essentially calling everyone a moron if they don't build something like this themselves. I'm actually an engineer, aerospace to be exact with lots of knowledge in electrical and software. The hardware on these devices isn't complicated but the software is non trivial. I have no desire to re create these algorithms for smart watering, I have better things to do with my time (which is worth quite a bit).
mailinh - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Much of the landscape hydration systems already have more control than most people use and do not required this useless add on.V900 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Unfortunately, the IOT-enthusiasts still think that "Yeah, but now you can do it FROM YOUR PHONE!" is an actual argument for buying one.Unfortunately, non-geeks are rather crucial for IOT to become a success,and they're not as easy to impress...
V900 - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Unless you're either managing acres of land, or have a small farm, what exactly is the point here?You'll still waste water, using this rather than the manual way of watering. Sure, you'll waste a little less water than with the old fashioned sprinklers, but overall you're not much better off, unless you water your garden yourself.
It's not that hard. Take five minutes to walk around your garden, and look and touch. You'll quickly see which ones need water. You'll actually also learn something over time, rather than leave that oh, so overwhelming task of watering your plants to your smartphone and an app.
Arls - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Hand watering is the least efficient and most time consuming waste of your time.This product, and others like it will provide anyone with sprinklers an efficient watering solution.
Arls - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
As a professional in the irrigation industry I have only seen one of our customers (out of a few thousand) buy a blossom.So far in my experience a local weather station such as Hunters Solar Sync provide the most effective hands off irrigation solution. Its able to measure evapotranspiration on site with the unit supplying updated run times daily. I'm not convinced using weather data from the cloud will ever be as good as having local data. Too many weather variables, for example in my town sun/rain/wind very significantly only a few miles apart.
Having wifi, PL connectivity and an app are always welcome additions. Being able to use your phone as a remote to turn on or off zones on the fly is a HUGE advantage. Current irrigation specific solutions are overpriced (way overpriced).
The ideal solution is a combination of functions. An app, wifi and PL connectivity, a local weather station and hands on control. Not every home automation device needs the cloud to function better. Having cloud connectivity will benefit other devices in the IoTs realm more so than irrigation.
Sttm - Friday, August 28, 2015 - link
Articles like this make me realize that at least where I am living in CA I'll probably never find a use for that fancy IoT Water Control system. As when/if I can afford a house, I will probably be having someone else manage the landscaping and as such setting the control panel.TheSlamma - Saturday, August 29, 2015 - link
No manual interface.. so how does your sprinkler guy blow out the system if you are not at home when he comes to do it and the valves don't have local control either. Every sprinkler controller should have a manual control on it no exceptions and not just for blowouts, for emergencies where a line or a head breaks and it's flooding.Also don't use Hunter clocks in ANY situation, only a schlub would install those pieces of junk builder grade RAGS, you use Irritrol or a Weathermatic. If you do think you need this unnecessary digital wifi BS for a sprinkler system then get a Skydrop.